91 Audemars Piguet Very Rare and Sought After, Royal Oak, Chronograph Wristwatch in Gold, With Almost Never Seen Doré Dial, Reference 25860ba, With Extract from the Archives, Additional Link and Service
Estimate: €50,000 – 100,000
Sold (Premium)€149,500
Model: Royal Oak Chronograph
Reference: 25860BA.OO.1110BA.02
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 2001
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 2385
Case N°: E19582 N° 373
Movement N°: 519 998
Dimensions: 39 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
Accessories: Extract from the Archives, Additional Link and Service
Audemars Piguet launched their sporty chronograph line with the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in 1993 but it was not until 1998 that they decided to return to the more traditional line of Royal Oak, with the release of the Royal Oak Chronograph, similar to the present watch. The here offered reference 25860 has a fully 18k yellow-gold case and bracelet, with a strong appeal and, at the same time, a dressier attitude compared to sporty Royal Oak Off-shore. The 41 mm three-body case has a back with screws, the iconic octagonal bezel with 8 hexagonal nuts, screwed down winding—crown and sapphire crystal. It immediately strikes for the incredibly stunning condition still presenting the original satin finish on the bracelet and case and features a charming dorée “tapisserie” dial with luminous baton indexes, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, aperture for the date between 4 and 5. The reference 25860 housed the caliber 2385 based on the Frederic Piguet caliber 1185, with the new movement being the thinnest self-winding chronograph movement made at the time, permitting the classic thin profile of the original Royal Oak to be maintained. Accompanied with extract from the archives, this very watch is a wonderful example to wear and enjoy and most of all one of the very few ever produced with such a dorée dial that perfectly matches the yellow-gold case and bracelet. Absolutely rare, this gilt configuration is, for the best of our knowledge, the first one to ever appear at auction and thus a masterpiece for every watch collector.